BJP high command insists on MLAs withdrawing resignations

Stepping up the heat two days after nine Ministers loyal to the former Chief Minister, B.S. Yeddyurappa, quit the Karnataka Cabinet, a meeting of legislators held at the residence of Rural Development Minister Jagadish Shettar on Sunday set a July 5 deadline for the high command to convene a meeting of the Legislature Party to elect a new leader of their choice.

The meeting, chaired by Mr. Shettar, was attended by over 50 legislators. The legislators made it clear to the high command that the strength of the camp has not reduced and that their demand is serious and should be appropriately taken note of. Nearly 10 MPs and an equal number of members of the Legislative Council were also present. Notable among the absentees were Mr. Yeddyurappa and Minister for Energy Shobha Karandlaje, who is stated to be away from Bangalore.

For the past six months, the Yeddyurappa faction has been demanding a meeting of the BJP Legislature Party, which had not been met by the high command.

With no solution in sight to end the political stalemate in Karnataka, all eyes are on the BJP high command’s decision — whether it prefers a change of leadership in the State or wishes to retain the incumbent Chief Minister, Sadananda Gowda.

Sources in the BJP told The Hindu that the withdrawal of resignation by nine Ministers was one of the conditions set by the high command for any further discussion. Dharmendra Pradhan, in charge of the party’s Karnataka affairs, who had been here for two days holding discussions with the leaders and legislators to bring about a rapprochement, concluded his visit after calling on State RSS leaders.

The nine Ministers rejected a plea to withdraw resignations saying they wouldn’t budge until their demand was met. One of the Ministers said: “This is a weapon which we have used to exert pressure on the high command to act. How can we withdraw our resignation?”

Mr. Pradhan is expected to submit his report to the high command at the earliest.

Does the BJP High Command have the guts to call Yeddyurappa's bluff
and face the confidence vote if and when he decides to force the issue?Yeddy himself may have second thoughts because he is vulnerable having had to quit as CM for the land and other scams for which he was responsible.It is now boiling down to a question of will of the High Command and Yeddy and who will retreat.For the good of the state,one would wish that Yeddy and his group succumb.

from:
Raj Kumar

Posted on: Jul 2, 2012 at 07:41 IST

What a circus!Karnataka deserves better...
You are elected to govern, not have regular breakfast meetings with "leaders" to champion petty politics.

from:
Krish

Posted on: Jul 2, 2012 at 07:18 IST

There seems to be utter chaos in the ranks of the state BJP.And the
High command has completely lost its hold on the state unit and is helplessly watching from the sidelines.Things have come to such a pass that the state unit is getting ready to split.The high command has to decide whether to put down the rebellion irrespective of the cost(meaning the loss of the state)or stand mutely succumbing to the blackmail tactics of the Yeddy camp.The latter course would also mean the loss of the state unit in that Yeddy will dictate terms,which would be more detrimental because there is no guarantee that his camp will get elected the next time round.For all one knows,the people of the state must be fed up of the open corruption indulged in by certain politicians that the whole BJP will most probably be damned.The situation is dicey for the high command either way.

from:
Raj Kumar

Posted on: Jul 2, 2012 at 07:00 IST

Appeal to BJP Leadership- Do not give in to Yeddyurappa Group's pressure.Get rid of them. You may lose in the short run but you will definitely gain in the long term. You need to prove that you are a disciplined Organization that will not compromise for the sake of remaining in power.

from:
Kousalya Murali

Posted on: Jul 2, 2012 at 06:50 IST

What a colossal waste of time and money in the in fight causing administrative certainty to Gov

from:
Rammohan

Posted on: Jul 2, 2012 at 05:20 IST

What is happening in Karnataka is an unpardonable irresponsible behaviour of politicians, who are testing the patience of their voters. BJP has been voted to power, when they were denied a chance in the previous assembly. It was a sympathy vote, by an innocent voter who thought that the BJP were keen to improve their situation. We now see a government rocked by corruption and scandals, and harassment of one who is in power. How can the current chief minister concentrate his mind when he is not sure if he would be in position in a few days from now. Yeddurappa had his tenure as Chief Minister. This colourful chief minister and Sobha Karanjide should wait for a fresh chance following the next elections.

from:
Dr. R.K. Rao Rebbapragada

Posted on: Jul 2, 2012 at 03:54 IST

I agree with above comment posted by xaviersurender. 90% of 540 MPS and 90% of thousdands of MLAs across India are having serious allegations of RAPE, Murder charges etc apart from Corruption and illegal mafia connections. If there is no drastic change takes place in Indian politics, for sure, the next generation have to leave country and settle else where otherwise such Stupid politicians play with lives of citizen for thier power game.

from:
kumar

Posted on: Jul 1, 2012 at 22:06 IST

B.S. Yeddyurappa has been the bane of BJP and the public of Karnataka. The public is sick of him, his repeated attempts to thwart the government functioning. But on the other hand is a no good opposition, with Congress tie ups they have in the past involved in some mega scams. Whereas Nitish Kumar, Modi have brought progress and a stable government, Karnataka on the other hand is an exact opposite. With an Iron hand these rebels have to be punished and expelled, and a strong leader take the mantle and lead it without any disturbance to the public.

from:
Kranti Kumar

Posted on: Jul 1, 2012 at 20:25 IST

BJP is becoming a more and more anarchy party with no leadership to curtail the corruption of their members. When Yeddi and Reddy is under investigation and the cases are pending in courts, there seems to be no leader of national ranking to crack the whip on these corrupt politicians. People must be fair to both UPA and NDA, when it comes to corruption. While congress is dealing with 2G, YSR, CWG etc., in a much better way than the BJP dealing with it's own corrupt people. Given this drama to continue, BJP will fair poorer in the lok sabha elections 2014.

from:
Krishna S Bala

Posted on: Jul 1, 2012 at 18:37 IST

Its really time we thought about adopting US style of democracy, we need the people to elect the Chief Minister/Prime Minister, we cannot afford to waste our time and money on party politics, its distressing to see what's happening in Karnataka, the most corrupt politician is dictating terms on who should be the Chief Minister instead of being in the jail.